Playing Around

Tools

The James Solberg Band Southside Johnnys, 528 S. Tejon St.
Thursday, September 4 at 9 p.m.
No cover
21+, 444-8487

Blues legends these days seem to be descendants of legends more than legends themselves. Often they've played with names that are more permanently etched in the cultural cognizance. I mean, there aren't many young blues men or women that your average pop cultural fool can name. So if one says "James Solberg" you might not be impressed until you hear the names of those he's played with: John Lee Hooker, Junior Brantley from the Fabulous Thunderbirds, and Howie Epstein from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. With a voice that rivals the cat-scratch rasp of Bob Dylan, and an uncanny resemblance to Bobcat Goldthwaite, Solberg also worked frequently with Luther Alison. His albums include See that My Grave Is Kept Clean and LA Blues. His most recent release is The Hand You're Dealt (2000). If Chicago blues is your thing, Solberg is definitely your man for some Thursday night thunder.